Candidate hopes to win open selectman’s seat

Wednesday

David M. Eisenthal of West Main Street, a graduate of Clark University and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, has his eyes on being elected selectman here.

Mr. Eisenthal, 46, formerly worked for the state Department of Revenue and now is employed by UniBank Fiscal Advisory Services in Whitinsville. He has nearly 19 years’ experience as a financial adviser to cities, towns and other governmental units, including the town of West Brookfield and the Quaboag Regional School District of Warren and West Brookfield.

“It’s an opportune moment for me to make this move,” Mr. Eisenthal said. In the May 6 town election, he will be seeking the seat now held by veteran Selectman John V. Tivnan, who is not running for re-election. Mr. Eisenthal is the first person to announce his candidacy for the seat, which has a three-year term.

“I have a calling for public service and I think I can be of service to the town with my experience,” Mr. Eisenthal said.

He and his family moved to West Brookfield about six years ago from Worcester. He grew up in Sharon and previously served on the School Committee there.

He said West Brookfield needs a capital spending plan bylaw for large expenditures. The town does have a capital plan, he said, but it needs to be spelled out more.

In theory, Mr. Eisenthal said, he agrees with the town’s fleet maintenance account, but believes voters still should be able to vote on vehicle purchases on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis.

The fleet account now allows local officials to make such purchases without a vote of the town. Residents approve a specific amount of money each year, but town officials decide on the vehicle purchases.

He also thinks that the work performance of the police chief, fire chief, highway superintendent and executive secretary should come under greater scrutiny.

“I think there is a sense in town that there could be more confidence in public services and that’s one reason why I advocate having performance reviews of the department heads,” Mr. Eisenthal said.

He said the department heads are professionals.

“We should treat them as professionals, fairly and consistently, and set high expectations for their performance as professionals,” Mr. Eisenthal said.

The deadline to submit nomination papers is March 18.

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